Greek olives for sale in Astoria. Tribune Photo by Liz Goff

Ready to do business in Queens? There is a vast system of support available to help you with information. Below you’ll find just a brief compilation of the best places to get started.

Getting Started
The Queens Borough President’s office has launched a web page full of places to start looking for information. Log on to www.queensbp.org and click the “Economic Development” link for the following information and more:

SBA Regional Director,
Senior Business Advisor York College,
Small Business Development Center,
94-20 Guy Brewer Blvd.
Medical School, Room 107
Jamaica, New York 11432
(718) 262-2880

Counseling, financial planning, export assistance, loan information, training programs, business plan development and certification programs.

Ben Hunt, Special Programs Coordinator,
Wilford Saunders, Senior Administrator,
La Guardia Community College,
Adult Continuing Education Division,
29-10 Thomson Ave.,
Long Island City, New York 11101
(718) 482-5330

Courses include computer-related skills: programming, repair, software usage; real estate; telecommunications; quality management program to assist local businesses, adult career counseling and resource center.

Service Corps. of Retired Executives, (SCORE)
120-55 Queens Blvd., Room 333
Kew Gardens, New York 11424
(718) 263-8961

Individual counseling, sources for credit and financing, sales, advertising and promotion, international trade, accounting, office and plant management, personnel, and inventory control.

Queens Public Library Business Division,
89-11 Merrick Blvd.,
Jamaica, New York 11432
(718) 990-0760

Tim Marshall, executive director,
Jamaica Business Resource Center,
90-33 160th St.
Jamaica, New York 11432
(718) 206-2255

Business information center, business advisory group, capital access, credit counseling and restoration; NYC licenses, permits, and other regulatory matters; workshops and seminars.

Queens County Overall Economic
Development Corporation,
Spencer Ferdinand, Executive Director,
120-55 Queens Blvd., Suite 309
Kew Gardens, NY 11424
(718) 263-0546
www.queensay.org

Check Out The Chamber
The Queens Chamber of Commerce (www.queenschamber.org) runs regular networking and business card exchange programs, as well as maintaining resource information for borough business. It was founded in January of 1911 when 15 businessmen joined forces to bring it to life. Its website now contains a members resource directory linking to local businesses and business resources.

The Department of Small Business Services
110 William St., Third Fl.
New York, NY 10038
www.nyc.gov/html/sbs/home.html

This New York City agency maintains a Business resource directory, a Neighborhood Development Division and assists City businesses with problems they may have with City, State and Federal agencies. They also have a Business Assistance/Emergency Response Unit to help in a crisis and can assist your business through its Commercial Revitalization, Business Improvement District and/or Economic Development Zone certification programs.

The department also suggests the following sites:

Department of Consumer Affairs:
http://nyc.gov/html/dca/home.html

New York City Department of Finance:
http://nyc.gov/html/dof/home.html

Download over 80 Tax Forms, Instructions and Application Forms from DOF’s 1999 “Booklet X”
http://nyc.gov/html/dof/html/bookletx.html

NYS Department of Labor
www.labor.state.ny.us

NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets
www.agmkt.state.ny.us/

NYS Liquor Authority
Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control
11 Park Place, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10007
http://www.abc.state.ny.us

City Business Page
If you’re looking for the latest on running a business within the City limits, you can also log on to this link from New York City’s Official website for regular updates and easy access to information through www.nyc.gov

The Department of Buildings (DOB) invites you to use its Business Information System (BIS) to check a building’s property profile overview, including reviewing the status of complaints. Also, check the status of DOB licensed tradespersons on-line 24 hours a day. The BIS is located at www.nyc.gov/html/dob/html/bis.html

HPD Online
Use the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development’s online site to access information about residential buildings in New York City, including violations of the City’s Housing Maintenance Code and the State’s Multiple Dwelling Law as well as contact information based in the last valid building registration form: www.nyc.gov/html/hpd/html/data/hpd-online-portal.html

Department of Finance
‘E’-nitiatives
The Department of Finance announces the Water & Sewer Charge inquiry service, NYCeFILE on-line tax filing system, NYCeREFUND undeliverable business tax refund check program, and the City Business Owner Tax Questionnaire and Abandoned Bail Search applications. NYCeFILE is located at http://nyc.gov/html/dof/html/nycefile.html